A birds-eye view of hurricane Earl

This serene-looking view of hurricane Earl was taken aboard the International Space Station as it passed over the Atlantic Ocean on Monday. Taken by NASA astronaut Douglas Wheelock, it shows the distinctive eye of the storm, which spans 28 kilometres.

I'm not sure if this storm is going to be stronger than Charley when it makes landfall, which landed in 2004. It is the current strongest-since-hurricane-Andrew medalholder.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Charley

I lived in Cape Coral when the storm landed, and at the time, it was to be headed straight for us. It instead went up north to Port Charlotte, where they were not as prepared, and experienced severe damage.

I didn't have electricity for a week and a half, and it took at least a month to clean up all the downed trees. One of my friends' houses was completely cut off by a monster tree that had blocked off the street to his suburb - it was thicker than a car.

In any case, I'd be surprised if this storm wound up being as strong as Charley, based on its trajectory, I'd say it'll land as a Cat 3, keeping Charley as the reigning champion : )